Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (Printable)

Fluffy pancakes with a rich cinnamon swirl and creamy glaze, perfect for a cozy brunch gathering.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pancake Batter

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Swirl

09 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Cream Cheese Glaze

12 - 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
14 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
15 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - 2 tablespoons whole milk

# How-To:

01 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
02 - In another bowl, whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Allow batter to rest.
03 - Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Transfer mixture to a piping or zip-top bag and snip a small corner.
04 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then milk; whisk to obtain a smooth, pourable glaze.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and lightly grease. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake.
06 - Pipe the cinnamon swirl onto each pancake immediately after pouring batter.
07 - Cook until bubbles form on the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
08 - Serve pancakes warm, drizzled generously with the cream cheese glaze.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • All the comfort of a cinnamon roll without any of the yeast, rising, or patience required.
  • The cream cheese glaze drips and pools in the best way, making every bite taste indulgent but still somehow light.
  • They're impressive enough to serve guests but casual enough to make on a random Tuesday morning.
02 -
  • The batter rests for a reason—it's not just busy work, it actually changes the texture of the pancakes by letting the flour fully absorb moisture.
  • Medium-low heat is non-negotiable here; I burned the first batch I made because I thought hotter would make them fluffier, but it just scorched the outside and left the inside gummy.
  • If your cinnamon swirl pipe breaks, just use a spoon to drizzle it on instead; the taste is identical, and no one notices the difference.
03 -
  • Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon swirl mixture—it echoes the warmth of the cinnamon without announcing itself, and people will taste something special without naming it.
  • If your griddle is older or uneven, you can often find a sweet spot where the heat is most consistent by cooking your first pancake as a test and adjusting based on how it browns.
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